[The treatment of allergic diseases]

In allergies, causal and symptomatic treatments are possible. Among the causal measures, antigen elimination has to be mentioned on the first hand. If this is not possible (in pollinosis, in allergy to the house dust mite), hyposensitization is indicated. Effectiveness and undesirable actions of hyposensitization are discussed in detail. Glucocorticoids maybe used for the symptomatic relief of allergic symptoms. However, cautious use is advisable. In type I-allergies, histamine is the most important mediator. Therefore, inhibitors of mast cell degranulation and H1-blocking agents are the drugs of first choice. Non sedative acting compounds (astemizole, oxatomide, terfenadine) are preferred.